Indian Air Force Test Pilots School

AI/ML workshop was conducted by @CSIR_IND at AFTPS for all test crew. The program featured insightful sessions on applied AI, ML-driven analytics and aerospace test applications, reinforcing data-driven flight testing and advancing operational excellence through new technologies.

Valedictory ceremony of 1 Test Course (UAS) and 25 Production Test Pilots Course was held at AFTPS, ASTE. Air Mshl KAA Sanjeeb, VSM awarded certificates to the graduating officers and TC (UAS) & PTP trophies to the best performers. @IAF_MCC @indiannavy @CoastGuardIndia @SETP_ORG

48th Flight Test Course officers attended a week-long augmented FCS program by CSIR-NAL and ADA. They were exposed to digital FCS, control-law design, and advanced system architectures for future platforms. @IAFTPS @IAF_MCC @CSIRNALOFFICIAL #FlightTesting #AerospaceInnovation

Student Officers of the 48th Flight Test Course, Air Force Test Pilots School, visited US Rao Satellite Centre (URSC), Bengaluru — the hub of India’s satellite design and development under Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). During the visit, the officers were exposed to the Centre’s pioneering work in space satellites’ design, assembly, integration, and testing. The interaction provided valuable insights into the synergy between aerospace flight testing and space technology, broadening their understanding of India’s growing capabilities in the air and space domains. @IAFTPS @IAF_MCC @isro #URSC #FlightTesting #AerospaceInnovation #IndiaInSpace

Student Officers of 48th Flight Test Course & 01 Test Course (Unmanned Aerial Systems) of Air Force Test Pilots School visited HAL Rotary Wing Research & Design Centre (RWR& DC). At RWR & DC, they gained insights into the design, development & testing of indigenous helicopters - including flight control systems, avionics integration & rotary wing dynamics. At the Design Complex, they explored advanced design processes, digital modelling, simulation & systems engineering behind frontline combat platforms. Such exposure bridges the gap between aerospace design and operational evaluation, preparing future test pilots & unmanned systems evaluators to validate cutting-edge technologies for the nation’s air power. @IAFTPS @IAF_MCC @HALHQBLR #Aerospace #MakeInIndia #AtmanirbharBharat

The Air Force Test Pilots School had the opportunity of hosting Dr Peter Arun Sc ‘F’ Regional Director RCMA from the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC) for a specialist talk on military airworthiness, certification frameworks and the evolving landscape of aerospace standards in India. The session provided valuable insights into the criticality and relevance of certification and quality assurance in ensuring flight and test safety, system reliability and the challenges associated with integration of indigenous technologies into military aviation platforms. This annual session also reflects on the continued collaboration between flight testing and the regulatory authorities in ensuring aircraft development and operational effectiveness in the backdrop of enhanced self-reliance in defence aviation. @IAF_MCC @CEMILAC @SETP_ORG #MakeInIndia #AtmanirbharBharat

No 1 UAS Test Course commenced yesterday at @IAFTPS. The program will be conducted over 25 weeks for the first time. IAFTPS wishes all the student officers the very best in their journey ahead. @IAF_MCC

@IAFTPS is proud to announce participation at the 54th Symposium of European Society of Experimental Test Pilots(SETP) at Toulouse, France. Sqn Ldr Anshul Chaudhry, Test Engineering Instructor at IAFTPS, presented his technical paper on ‘Aircraft Tyre and Landing Gear Ground Test Iron Bird’. We cherish our association with the Society and other esteemed test organisations and remain committed to continued contributions in evolving flight test methods and test philosophies to meet contemporary challenges. @IAF_MCC @SETP_ORG

@IAFTPS is extremely proud of the historic milestone of AXIOM 4 launch carrying its second alumnus, Gp Capt Shubhanshu Shukla (40th Flight Test Course), into space who is well on course to create history by being the first Indian on ISS. We wish him continued success and fulfillment of all mission objectives. Echoing his sentiments from space, “Jai Hind! Jai Bharat!” @IAF_MCC  @ISRO  #AXIOM4

The Indian Air Force Test Pilots School @IAFTPS is happy to announce the commencement of 48th Flight Test Course (Class of 2025-26). The students comprise of Officers from all the three services @Tri_Service of Indian Air Force @IAF_MCC, Indian Army @adgpi and Indian Navy @indiannavy. Commandant ASTE along with CO AFTPS and the entire staff extend best wishes to the students on the 48 weeks long, professionally demanding and rigorous advanced flight test training program.

In the final phase of training, students of the 47th Flight Test Course attended bespoke lectures aimed at exposing them to flight test associated fields. These included session on #Space Domain Awareness offering strategic insights into Space assets and exploration as the next frontier of national security. This was followed by an insightful lecture on Human Space Flight by an Indian Astronaut Designate, providing unique perspectives on human space flight and training modalities . Experts from RGNIIPM highlighted the importance of #Intellectual Property Rights in fostering innovation and safeguarding indigenous technologies. The series concluded with a technical discourse on the D&D cycle of an indigenous #aeroengine by VRDE. These engagements enriched the professional acumen of future test crew, reinforcing their role as future leaders in flight testing and aerospace development. @IAF_MCC @SETP_ORG @DRDO

Having successfully graduated the 47th flight test course on 23rd may @IAFTPS Is proud to share few glimpses into the final phases of training. Ensuring significant relevance to variable stability inflight training and overseas professional interaction and research engagements, students of 47 FTC visited USA and undertook this signature capsule on VS Learjet-125 at Calspan Buffalo, NY. They also had a unique opportunity to witness cutting edge aerospace research with nominated industry partners @boeing @LockheedMartin @MetreaAero @Calspan_Corp

@IAFTPS is proud to announce the graduation of the 47th Flight Test Course. Seventeen officers, including two from the Indian Army and three from the Indian Navy, have successfully completed the intensive 48-week program involving bespoke training phases and evaluation of diverse aircraft and aerosystems. @IAFTPS was honoured with the presence of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh PVSM AVSM, as the distinguished chief guest for this milestone occasion. The traditional Suranjan Das Graduation Dinner celebrated the relentless dedication and commitment demonstrated by our students and their spouses. With this, the Class of 2024–25 stands poised to meet real-world challenges and contribute meaningfully with participation in operationalisation efforts and Atmanirbhar projects. We wish them continued success and many pioneering achievements in the journey ahead! @IAF_MCC @adgpi @indiannavymedia @hq_ids_india @setp_org

As part of aerospace domain exposure, student officers of 47 FTC had an opportunity to visit UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC), Bengaluru, which is India's premier hub for Satellite R&D. The visit provided deep insights into the design, development, integration and testing procedures of various satellites; such as Communication, Earth observation, Navigation, and Space science vehicles. The student officers learnt how URSC manages entire lifecycle of spacecraft, from conceptualization to in-orbit operationalisation. The centre’s cutting-edge R&D in satellite technology and state-of-the-art infrastructure provided unprecedented glimpses towards their professional growth @ISRO @IAF_MCC

Progressing from conventional control systems assessments to augmented Flight Control Systems (FCS) , the students of the 47th FTC at @IAFTPS had the opportunity of engaging with domain specialists from National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) and Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA). The session with these practitioners offered an in-depth design and development overview of digital FCS, emphasizing their critical role in ensuring platform stability, manoeuvrability, and handling qualities in modern combat aircraft. Case studies from the Tejas program provided a practical perspective as well . The lecture also highlighted the significant advancements and unique challenges encountered in the LCA Mk I program, paving the way for discussions on the futuristic AMCA project. Topics included the evolution of control laws, enhanced system architectures, and the implementation of next-generation technologies to address the demands of stealth and agility. @IAF_MCC @CSIRNALOFFICIAL

As FTC (FW) entered critical flight test training phase, Wg Cdr P. Awasthi (Retd) and Wg Cdr M. Patel (Retd) from HAL Flight Operations conducted a capsule talk on high angle of attack (AOA) and departure testing for the students of the 47th Flight Test Course at @IAFTPS. The session provided exploration methodologies for incremental test plan development, usage of advanced predictive tools, and insights into wind tunnels data for ground-based analysis. The emphasis on robust safety protocols and state-of-the-art instrumentation for ensuring safe and controlled flight testing highlighted the requirements of meticulous preparation for such critical campaigns. Drawing on real-world examples, the guest speakers shared their experiences from the HTT-40 and IJT spin tests, offering students valuable insights into the complexities of flight testing and the challenges encountered in operational scenarios. The follow on discussions elucidated the synergy between academic rigor and practical application as well @IAF_MCC @HALHQBLR